South Dakota State AA Tournament Preview

<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-left">State AA's - Rapid City</h2>   #1 Sioux Falls Lincoln vs #8 Spearfish   Spearfish with their first state tournament appearance since 2013.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/bmueller49/status/1898506858735813002?s=61 </div></figure>   This is a very interesting matchup. Both teams are very deep with talent and Spearfish can play with anyone. Sioux Falls Lincoln with more size and [player_tooltip player_id='1407012' first='Luke' last='Krempges'], [player_tooltip player_id='1949563' first='Sam' last='DeGroot'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1950332' first='Justin' last='Bilal'] may get busy on the offensive boards.   [player_tooltip player_id='2338059' first='Kamren' last='Davis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2344051' first='Kade' last='Vavruska'] seem like X-factors to me in this game. Spearfish will need to shoot the three well to take down Sioux Falls Lincoln.   6'3” Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1668255' first='Dylon' last='Doren'] will need to be aggressive from the tip of the game and assert himself. Ball-handlers [player_tooltip player_id='2344085' first='Bennett' last='Kortan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2544075' first='Mason' last='Southern'] will be counted on to be playmakers as well.   6'3” guard [player_tooltip player_id='1641205' first='Sam' last='Ericsson'] is a key player in the state tournament. I think if he has a great tournament, Lincoln has a good chance. I'd also like to see [player_tooltip player_id='2137320' first='Deondre' last='Painter'] rise to the occasion and perform in a high stakes environment. I think he's a very confident player and will try and be a major contributor.   #2 Brandon Valley vs #10 Sioux Falls Jefferson   No one wants to be matched-up with Jefferson in this tournament. They are a scary matchup, and they just took down Sioux Falls Washington by 10 points.   Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2250186' first='Jase' last='Unzen'] for Jefferson is key in this matchup. Jefferson is a different team with more confidence with him out there being a playmaker and leading things.   I'm curious as to who [player_tooltip player_id='1761714' first='Landon' last='Dulaney'] will matchup with, because he's one of the top defenders in the state and has the capability to shut someone down.   The [player_tooltip player_id='2148816' first='Austin' last='Dowd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2328482' first='Mason' last='Payne'] matchup seems like a talking point as well. Payne has a size advantage at 6'6” and a big body. But the Sophomore Dowd works very hard for positioning and has a relentless motor. The game could be decided on who has the rebounding advantage.   For Jefferson, I think they need a big game from Sophomore guard/wing [player_tooltip player_id='2250240' first='Colby' last='Nuttbrock']. The shooting of [player_tooltip player_id='2422283' first='Ethan' last='Swenson'] seems like it will be a key to the game. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2526524' first='Damaris' last='Fields'] is someone that could play really well in a state tournament environment, just like he did last year.   Brandon Valley needs a high-impact state tournament from wing [player_tooltip player_id='2278036' first='Mach' last='Mayen'] to make a deep run. He will be counted on to make defensive plays on the ball and earn the team extra possessions. 6'3” Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2328479' first='Aiden' last='Zerr'] is a player that also thrives in big games and he needs a solid tournament for Brandon Valley.   #3 Harrisburg vs #6 O'Gorman   Harrisburg surprised me this season with their success. They had a few guys step up into their new roles. [player_tooltip player_id='1263165' first='Aiden' last='Costain'] stepped up as the new Big for Harrisburg. His size will be key in this matchup. 6'3” Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2685746' first='Nolan' last='Krull'] had a breakout season. He will be moved up the rankings and he'll be a key factor for Harrisburg in the state tournament. If Krull has a big tournament shooting the ball, Harrisburg will be tough. 6'0” Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1625202' first='Kaden' last='Anderson'] came onto the scene as a Senior. Love his energy. He's an impact on-ball defender. Handles the ball well, distributes, and can shoot the three. How active [player_tooltip player_id='1641478' first='Stellen' last='Larson'] is on the defensive and offensive boards is a factor as well. He's a strong rebounder that can get up and rip the ball away to secure a possession.   O'Gorman lacks size and likes to play small-ball. They will need big-time tournaments from [player_tooltip player_id='1625082' first='Austin' last='Terveen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1441395' first='Nyun' last='Dut'] as scorers. Harrisburg I'm expecting to defend Terveen with 6'6” wing [player_tooltip player_id='2328478' first='Isaiah' last='Tap'].   Backup guard [player_tooltip player_id='2693802' first='Kamden' last='Cisse'] may be an X-factor and I think he's one that will look to prove himself on the big stage. He may not be overly aggressive to a fault, but I think he'll be looking to make plays for O'Gorman.   #4 Mitchell vs #5 Huron   The defending state champs Mitchell Kernels have themselves a major test right out of the gates. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2641659' first='Colton' last='McNeil'] may be the best and most intense point guard defender in the state. McNeil will chase and pressure relentlessly. He happens to be matched-up with arguably the top point guard in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='1297809' first='Markus' last='Talley']. I would like to see Mitchell try and free up some space for Talley, possibly via ball screen or other action.   This game could be heavily decided on by how [player_tooltip player_id='1466940' first='Colton' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2310403' first='Gavin' last='Hinker'] perform. [player_tooltip player_id='1466940' first='Colton' last='Smith'] should have been an All-ESD selection and was a major snub, as he's been impactful, especially as a rebounder and scorer in the paint.   6'1” Sophomre guard [player_tooltip player_id='2250346' first='Owen' last='Raml'], I think may play an X-factor role for Mitchell, and if he can contribute in the scoring department that will help Mitchell's chances.   For Huron, [player_tooltip player_id='1467166' first='Blake' last='Ellwein'] will obviously play a key role in determining the outcome of the game. Also, look for Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2351487' first='Trace' last='Wenz'] and 6'7” Sophomore Big [player_tooltip player_id='2348517' first='Davis' last='Chase'] to be big factors. Chase comes off the bench as one of the top 6th men in the state.   I believe 6'5” Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2128932' first='Anderson' last='Porisch'] will be matched-up with [player_tooltip player_id='1466940' first='Colton' last='Smith'] in a heated an important battle. This could be a very physical game.